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New York state attorney general has introduced a recent online portal urging residents to submit visual evidence of ICE operations throughout New York. This move follows a day after a significant enforcement action rattled NYC's Chinatown, triggering mass protests.

American Citizens Held In Raid

A US congressman announced during a Wednesday press conference that four citizens were taken into custody and kept for "nearly 24 hours" after the previous day's operation. Rallies broke out in NYC on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

"All New York residents has the right to reside free from terror," the AG declared in a release.

"If you witnessed and recorded federal operations yesterday, I encourage you to share that material with my office. We are pledged to reviewing these accounts and evaluating any wrongdoings."

Submission Process

The portal includes options to upload visual evidence of the operation, plus a area to specify geographic details. When submitting, submitters must tick a option that acknowledges that "authorities might employ any documents, photographs, or videos in a public document, including in a lawsuit or government document."

Information about the ICE Action

The Manhattan operation, which witnesses say featured dozens of federal agents, occurred in a popular neighborhood of Manhattan where counterfeit handbags, accessories, jewelry and merchandise are sold daily in large quantities – often to visitors.

Footage of Tuesday's raid reveal multiple hooded and equipped personnel zip-tying and detaining a individual, and shoving away onlookers. Throngs of locals followed the personnel along the roads. An armored military vehicle was also seen moving along the urban roads.

Leadership Statements

During a news conference organized with the New York immigrant rights coalition, Representative Goldman, a Democrat, said that four American citizens were detained by ICE for almost a full day and that there were "no conditions where US citizens should be taken for no reason." He noted the citizens were let go on the following day with no charges filed.

"The intent is obvious here. It is not about removing offenders," the congressman stated. "This constitutes a militarized effort to create conflict. It is purely a justification to incite violence for the government to deploy the troops to halt unrest that they initiated."

Extensive Outcry

Outrage over the ICE raid rapidly grew – every political contenders criticized the operation, including the state leader.

"Repeatedly, the current administration selects authoritarian theatrics that create fear, rather than security. It must stop," a contender stated.

The city's immigrant rights groups expressed outrage also.

"ICE descended on Chinatown in NYC with military-style vehicles, covered personnel and riot gear to go after street vendors attempting to earn income. This operation had nothing to do with citizen protection and was entirely about frightening communities and communities," remarked the head of a advocacy group.

Official Guidelines

Agency rules prohibits the holding of citizens and the agency has stated it will not arrest or detain citizens. However, external research has revealed that more than 170 US citizens have been taken illegally by federal agents since the beginning of the present government.

Ongoing Trend

Enforcement actions have been becoming more common in the state and around the country lately.

A recent action in central NYC was the initial documented operation on an refuge facility of the present government. Protests against federal operations are commonplace as are accusations of aggression and abusive practices.

Most recently, a document filed by legal entities stated medical neglect of pregnant women in detention centers.